AFTER a horrific couple of days of motor vehicle accidents on Bucketts Way south of Gloucester, a recent NSW Parliamentary report seems more than timely.
The worst of the accidents occurred when, according to police, a utility pulling a horse float rolled over, crashing into two motorcycles, killing one of the riders and critically injuring the other.
The following day, the Bucketts Way south of Wards River was blocked for several hours when a scrap metal truck overturned.
They add to the growing list of serious accidents in and around Gloucester over recent years.
In June, 2026 a collision between a motorcycle and a utility on Bundook Road resulted in the death of the rider.
The driver of an SUV was killed when his car struck a pole on Bucketts Way at Craven in December, 2025.
On 17 September, the Staysafe Committee of the NSW Parliament tabled its report aimed at reducing road trauma in regional NSW.
The committee had resolved to hold its inquiry in response to Transport for NSW data that showed 2025 saw 241 crashes on regional roads, an increase of 22 from 2024.
The report titled ‘Interventions to reduce road trauma in regional NSW caused by speeding, fatigue, drink and drug driving’ made 13 recommendations.
Some related to the state of the roads, but many called for stronger and more effective enforcement of road rules.
“Across three days of hearings, the committee heard from a range of witnesses including road safety experts and educators, rural and regional local governments, and NSW Government agencies,” said committee chair Greg Warren MP.
“We also heard from the families of people who have tragically lost their lives in road crashes, who gave moving evidence of the human cost of road trauma.
“We also heard concerns about the poor condition of roads and infrastructure in regional NSW.”
According to Mr Warren, there was also a consistent call for greater enforcement of speed limits.
Transport for NSW informed the committee about a trial of applying average speed cameras to light vehicles.
Subject to an evaluation of the trial, the committee recommended that this be rolled out state-wide.
“To curb drink and drug driving in the regions, we recommend high-visibility enforcement including roadside breath testing and mobile drug testing,” the report stated.
“We recommend that Transport for NSW upgrade infrastructure at priority regional locations, based on detailed crash data.”
On 23 September, Gloucester’s local member of state parliament, Dave Layzell MP, made an impassioned statement to the NSW Parliament about the need for urgent action in relation to the Bucketts Way, including its dangerous intersection with the Pacific Highway.
“The Bucketts Way needs to be made safer for motorists, the local communities and the heavy freight that relies on that road, especially to get livestock to farms and market,” Mr Layzell said.
“I certainly encourage the New South Wales police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command to consider regular high-visibility tasking of officers from Manning-Great Lakes and Port Stephens-Hunter police districts to the Bucketts Way.”
NOTA asked NSW Police what steps, if any, they planned to take to deal with risky driver behaviour on the Bucketts Way, particularly after this recent spate of accidents.
“Manning-Great Lakes police and officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol will continue to regularly patrol the area based on intelligence-led taskings to detect traffic offences,” a spokesperson said.
The committee’s full report can be accessed via the NSW Parliament website, along with Mr Layzell’s statement.
By John WATTS
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